Friday, 20 May 2022 14:25

B+LNZ bosses head to Europe

Written by  Staff Reporters
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor. Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor.

For the first time since Covid-19 travel restrictions were implemented, Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says it will send a contingent of its leaders overseas.

B+LNZ’s chief executive Sam McIvor and general manager policy and advocacy Dave Harrison will join board chair Andrew Morrison and board member Kate Acland to the United Kingdom and European Union.

The trip will see the team meet agricultural counterparts, farmers, government officials and politicians in the UK and the EU in support of furthering developing New Zealand’s relationships through bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

“The UK and EU have always been important markets for our sector, with the first sheepmeat exported from Dunedin to London in 1882,” says McIvor.

“The recently signed UK FTA will provide improved access for New Zealand red meat products, particularly beef and this will translate back into better returns for New Zealand farmers,” he says.

“The New Zealand Government trade negotiators, supported by B+LNZ’s trade policy team and in partnership with the Meat Industry Association (MIA), have worked hard to secure this ambitious, comprehensive and high-quality FTA.

“It is important that the trade agreement is ratified and implemented so New Zealand can secure the benefits of improved access to this market.”

McIvor says the visit to the UK is aimed at building support for the ratification of the trade deal with the country while allaying concerns B+LNZ’s British counterparts may have.

“While we understand that some British agricultural organisations are apprehensive about the FTA, we want to reassure them that New Zealand is a reliable and trusted trading partner.

“As well as improved outcomes for trade, the FTA will provide a solid base for future cooperation between NZ and UK farming organisations. The same principles apply to any future trade agreement with the EU and the farming organisations in member states.”

B+LNZ chair Andrew Morrison says farmers across the globe share the same challenges, such as climate change, changing consumer demands, and improving their farming practices.

“We believe these areas offer opportunities for collaboration between British, EU, and New Zealand farmers, rather than competition,” Morrison says.

“New Zealand has been a longstanding and trusted trade partner of both the EU and the UK and the NZMB [New Zealand Meat Board] provides support to facilitate trade to those quota markets for New Zealand exporters.”

He says the centenary of the NZMB, taking place this year, provides an opportunity to reflect on the trade relationship between Europe and New Zealand and look to the future.

“The EU market is an important export destination for New Zealand sheepmeat, although our access for beef is restricted by small quotas with high in quota tariffs.

“With the EU FTA negotiations entering their final phase, having B+LNZ senior leaders there to support the New Zealand Government demonstrates our commitment to the market and will improve our chances of getting an outcome that delivers real benefits to New Zealand sheep and beef farmers.”

More like this

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Lost the room?

OPINION: Beef+Lamb NZ has run a roadshow to sell its new strategy.

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

Editorial: Keep FTAs coming

OPINION: The dairy industry will  be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

National

Food charity to hold online auction

Meat the Need, New Zealand’s dedicated charity delivering locally sourced protein meals to food-insecure communities, is launching an online National…

Machinery & Products

An ideal solution for larger farms

Designed specifically for large farms that want to drill with maximum flexibility, efficiency and power, the new Lemken Solitair ST…

Landpower increases its offering

Landpower and the Claas Harvest Centre network will launch the Claas Scorpion and Torion material handling solutions to the market…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Leaky waka

OPINION: Was the ASB Economic Weekly throwing shade on Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr when reporting on his speech in…

Know-it-alls

OPINION: A reader recently had a shot at the various armchair critics that she judged to be more than a…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter